Track 1: From the corridor to the cloud: Hansard’s transformation journey

Foong Ling Kong is Editor of Debates for the Legislative Assembly at the Parliament of Victoria. Before starting at Parliament she had a two-decade career as a book publisher and editor. She was also managing editor of Anne Summers Reports, and a board member of the Stella Prize when the inaugural prize was launched in 2013. She was on the board and chaired the Feminist Writers Festival, which was set up to support and promote feminist writers and ideas..

Synopsis

In its 165-year history, Hansard at the Parliament of Victoria has published for as long as the chambers sat. When the novel coronavirus hit Australian shores and forced a lockdown in Victoria from 16 March 2020, few thought that would lead to Melbourne eventually experiencing the longest lockdown in the world, at 262 days across 20 months.

This is the cultural and technological story of how Hansard adapted our long-standing practices to publish completely remotely during multiple lockdowns. Today no part of our workflow is untouched, and the way we work has been transformed, from within and without.

Evan Squire began his Hansard career in the mid-2000s as an editor/reporter at the Australian Parliament. At the Parliament of Victoria he was a reporter and subeditor before taking on the role of Editor of Debates (Council) in 2019. With a background in descriptive linguistics, Evan enjoys the tension between accurately reporting and ‘correcting’ a member’s speech. Over 13 years in parliamentary reporting, he has observed significant change in editorial approach and use of technology.

Synopsis

In its 165-year history, Hansard at the Parliament of Victoria has published for as long as the chambers sat. When the novel coronavirus hit Australian shores and forced a lockdown in Victoria from 16 March 2020, few thought that would lead to Melbourne eventually experiencing the longest lockdown in the world, at 262 days across 20 months.

This is the cultural and technological story of how Hansard adapted our long-standing practices to publish completely remotely during multiple lockdowns. Today no part of our workflow is untouched, and the way we work has been transformed, from within and without.

Pauline Murphy is a graphic scriber, illustrator and designer. Pauline worked in graphic design and desktop publishing for over a decade before making the leap to graphic recording. Her work is characterised by her design background; she prefers to digitally scribe using thick lines and clean detail to bring attention to typography and her illustrative style.

Synopsis

In its 165-year history, Hansard at the Parliament of Victoria has published for as long as the chambers sat. When the novel coronavirus hit Australian shores and forced a lockdown in Victoria from 16 March 2020, few thought that would lead to Melbourne eventually experiencing the longest lockdown in the world, at 262 days across 20 months.

This is the cultural and technological story of how Hansard adapted our long-standing practices to publish completely remotely during multiple lockdowns. Today no part of our workflow is untouched, and the way we work has been transformed, from within and without.